Pedestrian Safety is the theme for the UN Road Safety Week which takes place this week from May 6 to May 12.
Councils are urging pedestrians to Check Before You Step Out in a new road safety campaign running across the counties of Mayo, Galway and Donegal. The campaign is focused on educating pedestrians to avoid dangerous distractions when crossing roads and is echoing a national campaign launched by the Road Safety Authority (RSA ) and gardaí.
The campaign, a joint initiative between the councils, is promoting a national message at a local level and aims to reduce pedestrian crashes and challenge pedestrians to take responsibility for their own safety when crossing the road.
A recent report by the RSA highlighted more than 5,000 pedestrians are killed on the world’s roads each week. Thirty seven pedestrians were killed on roads, north and south, in 2012. To date this year, 15 pedestrians have died on roads in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Pedestrian safety tips include: always use pedestrian crossings if available; never assume that an approaching driver can see you or will stop for you, as their vision may be affected by the sun, poor light and parked cars; at junctions, check for turning vehicles before you leave the kerb.
Noel Gibbons, road safety officer, Mayo County Council said: “Pedestrian safety is literally a two way street. Both drivers and walkers alike have responsibilities and need to look out for each other.”
